Weems led the Falcons with 12 special-teams tackles last year. He had just 11 targets on offense, but managed two touchdowns. Weems won't return as higher than the No. 5 receiver. Fri, Mar 6, 2015 06:41:00 PM

Falcons signed WR Eric Weems, formerly of the Bears.

Weems was released by the Bears last Saturday. Weems spent the first five years of his career in Atlanta, and could round out the Falcons' receiver corps as a linchpin special teamer. The news comes the same day the Falcons revealed Drew Davis (foot) will begin the year on the PUP list. Thu, Aug 21, 2014 03:49:00 PM

Bears released WR/KR Eric Weems.

It's the corresponding move for the Santonio Holmes signing. Weems was tried out as the Bears' No. 3 receiver in last week's preseason opener, but struggled mightily. A pure special teams player, he'll look to sign with another team for the veteran minimum. Sat, Aug 16, 2014 06:35:00 PM

Weems was released by the Bears last Saturday. Weems spent the first five years of his career in Atlanta, and could round out the Falcons' receiver corps as a linchpin special teamer. The news comes the same day the Falcons revealed Drew Davis (foot) will begin the year on the PUP list.

It's the corresponding move for the Santonio Holmes signing. Weems was tried out as the Bears' No. 3 receiver in last week's preseason opener, but struggled mightily. A pure special teams player, he'll look to sign with another team for the veteran minimum.

Bears WR Eric Weems has declined to take a pay cut, and is expected to be released.

Weems would rather shop his wares on the open market than take a cut, though at this point, the money difference is likely to be minimal. Cutting Weems would clear $1.1 million in cap space for the Bears.

The Bears have asked WR Eric Weems to take a pay cut or he'll be released.

Weems is a pure special teamer and could be an option to replace Devin Hester as the return man. He's scheduled to count $1.6 million against the cap in the final year of his deal. The Bears could save $1.1 million with Weems' release.

Hester is out for Week 13 with a concussion, but Weems would have handled return duties either way. Hester is averaging 25.5 yards per return this season but only has a long return of 38 yards. Weems was sent to the Pro Bowl in 2010 as a return man with the Falcons.

Bears agreed to terms with WR/KR Eric Weems, formerly of the Falcons, on a three-year contract.

At first glance, it's an odd fit with Devin Hester locked in on punt returns. Weems has been an All-Pro special teamer in the past, but he has just 24 receptions in 54 career games. The move suggests the Bears can't count on Johnny Knox for kickoff returns in 2012. Weems has been a favorite of GM Phil Emery, who was in Atlanta before Kansas City and Chicago.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution expects the Falcons to elevate WR/KR Eric Weems to No. 3 receiver if free agent Harry Douglas is not re-signed.

Of course, Weems is a free agent himself, so this is already taking a big leap. Weems also has just 24 receptions in 54 career games since entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2008. Though Weems was a 2010 All-Pro special teamer, he would not be a realistic third receiver for the Falcons.

Smith described the surgery as a "a little procedure," suggesting that it may have been arthroscopic in nature. The Falcons re-signed Weems to a one-year contract last week. He'll be fine to return kicks in Week 1.

A Pro Bowl returner last season, Weems has never made an impact on offense. There's a slight chance he'll get a few more looks in 2011 after the Falcons parted ways with Michael Jenkins on Friday, but Julio Jones' presence should likely ensure Weems' contributions remain limited to special teams.

The player rep for free agent Eric Weems expects the kick returner to re-sign with the Falcons.

"They want him," said the agent. "I don't suspect there will be any arm wrestling to get a deal done." The four-year veteran is seeking a larger offensive role, though that hardly seems likely following the addition of Julio Jones. Weems was one of the NFL's elite returners in 2010.

With Michael Jenkins injured, Eric Weems started opposite Roddy White in the Week 2 win over the Cardinals.

The coaching staff could have been rewarding him for a solid Week 1. Regardless, Weems received zero targets against the Cardinals, while Harry Douglas and Brian Finneran received 11 between them. Weems has value only in return-yardage leagues.

D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution tweeted Friday that he is not anticipating Julio Jones (toe, questionable) will play in Week 14 against the Rams.

This is just a beat writer guess, but reinforces that Julio is no lock to be active against the Rams after he did little to nothing during the practice week. Officially, Jones was listed as "DNP" all three days. Coach Dan Quinn said Friday that he "anticipates" Julio playing, but that may be mere coachspeak. If Julio is indeed active, he will be a boom-bust WR1. It's a very tough situation in the fantasy playoffs because Falcons-Rams doesn't kick off until 4:25 PM ET.

Sanu didn't practice all week and never had much chance of playing against the Rams. With Julio Jones (turf toe) a game-time decision, Taylor Gabriel should be in line for his biggest workload of the season.

Falcons LT Jake Matthews (knee) is questionable for Week 14 against the Rams.

Matthews was able to get in a limited practice Friday, but that was his only action of the week. Atlanta could decide to play it safe with their left tackle in a game they should be able to win going away. Tom Compton took over for Matthews after he left last week's game.